School board to apply for CVB matching grant for Union Pines turf; trustees debate timing and community impact

The school district said it will submit a request to the Moore County Tourism Development Authority asking for a $600,000 matching grant to install artificial turf at Union Pines High School, with a proposed second matching request for North Moore High School in a subsequent year. Facilities director Misty Purvis told trustees the CVB grant deadline is in September and that, if awarded and coordinated with county bond funds, the district could break ground as early as November and complete work by mid‑February to be available for spring play.

Nut graf: The application responds to county commissioners’ prior resolution allocating $600,000 in next‑year bond funds as a possible match for a turf grant. Board members debated fiscal priorities, the recent temporary sod installation at Union Pines, and the long‑term maintenance and fee model if the district hosts multi‑team tournaments that bring overnight visitors.

Purvis told the board the turf would expand the county’s ability to host multi‑field, multi‑day tournaments when combined with existing turf at Pine Crest and partner fields operated by Pinehurst Parks and Recreation. The district estimated early‑year spectator counts in the thousands for larger tournaments; staff said Pinehurst Parks and Rec had agreed to partner on scheduling and marketing.

Board members raised logistics and public‑policy questions. Several trustees asked that the district pursue formal commitments from travel clubs and tournament organizers and to consider fee structures that reserve a portion of gate or rental revenue for future turf replacement and maintenance. Trustees also sought clarity about the $70,000 public‑work sod installation at Union Pines earlier in the summer and were told boosters and volunteers will recover most usable grass for other campus fields at no charge. One trustee urged slower public engagement, asking for more community input before pursuing a multimillion‑dollar turf campaign; another urged the board to pursue larger, recurring CVB allocations for district projects.

Ending: Staff will submit the CVB application for the listed September deadline with the board’s endorsement and begin preliminary design and permitting; trustees asked staff to return with additional financial projections and projected usage and revenue scenarios before final construction approval.